I push myself upright and swing my legs over the edge of the bed.
The weight of it settles across my shoulders like armor I never asked to wear.
I don’t bother trying to sleep again. I get dressed and go looking for her instead.
I look for her. Not with Torric. Not with Aspen or Finn or Malrik.
Not with Darian, either—huh.
…Efficient. I meant efficient.
I find her in the garden.
Kaia stands near the garden wall, shadows curled around her ankles, staring at the fading lights Darian left behind. They’re almost gone now — just a few stubborn sparks drifting lazily through the air.
Does she have any idea how beautiful she is?
Bob is at her shoulder, posture rigid. Linda hovers nearby, radiating quiet energy. Steve is upside down in a bush, apparently stuck.
I don’t approach.
Not because she’s distant. Because I am.
I watch her from the doorway, and something in my chest aches in a way I don’t have words for.
She’s stronger than she was when I found her again. Steadier. More certain of who she is and what she’s capable of.
I don’t know where I fit into who she’s becoming.
I don’t know if I’m leading her toward something, or just following behind.
“You’re too quiet.”
Aspen’s voice is soft, but it still makes me flinch. I didn’t hear him approach.
He leans against the doorframe beside me, arms crossed, watching Kaia with the same quiet intensity I was.
“I’m always quiet,” I say.
“Not like this.” He tilts his head, studying me. “You’re carrying something.”
“I’m carrying a lot of things.”
“Mm.” He doesn’t push. Just stands there, steady and patient, waiting for me to break first.
I don’t.
After a long moment, he laughs softly — the kind of laugh that says he sees right through me and isn’t surprised by what he finds.
“She’s stronger than you think,” Aspen says. “So are you.”
I don’t respond.
But something settles, just slightly.
We stand in silence, watching her. The lights Darian made have mostly faded, just a few stubborn sparks drifting through the morning air. Kaia stands at the garden wall, shadows wrapped around her ankles like they’re keeping her company.
She doesn’t know we’re here.
